Rangers waive Valiquette

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Rangers, mired in a three-game losing streak and a 6-12-1 slump, have begun to reshape their roster.

Center Erik Christensen, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Ducks to give the team some depth with Donald Brashear out for an unspecified time with an unspecified injury.

Also, Steve Valiquette was placed on waivers with the hope that the struggling backup goalie can regain his form at Hartford (AHL). Chad Johnson, 23, a Hobey Baker finalist last season at Alaska-Fairbanks, will be the short-term replacement but cannot be recalled until Valiquette clears waivers or is claimed by noon today.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Christensen was scoreless in nine games this season for the Ducks, who acquired him last season from the Thrashers. A third- or fourth-line player who shoots well from the perimeter, Christensen set career highs with 18 goals and 15 assists for the Penguins in 2006-07.

His presence, along with the expected return of center Brandon Dubinsky (broken right hand) within the next month, could cost fourth-line center Brian Boyle his roster spot.

"It's an opportunity for him," coach John Tortorella said of Christensen. "When Dubi comes back, some decisions will have to be made."

A decision was made on Valiquette after Saturday's 8-3 loss at Pittsburgh, in which he allowed four goals in the third period after the Rangers had closed to within one.

Valiquette is 2-3-0 with a 3.74 goals-against average and a paltry .852 save percentage this season. The 32-year-old has been Henrik Lundqvist's full-time backup since 2007-08, yet has played in only 34 games in that span.

"We want to get him down there playing and get his game back," Tortorella said. "Johnson gets to practice with us. I'm not sure where it all sits with him playing."

So the Rangers likely are looking elsewhere for Lundqvist's backup since Valiquette may no longer be an option. If Valiquette goes unclaimed and is assigned to Hartford, the Rangers still would have to put him through recall waivers to return him to the NHL, meaning any team claiming him would split the pro-rated portion of his $725,000 contract with the Rangers.

BRIEF: Defenseman Wade Redden (right shoulder/arm), who has missed the past three games, skated on his own for 20 minutes in his first time on the ice since being hurt on his second shift in a 2-1 shootout win at Florida eight days ago. Tortorella said he expects Redden to skate with the team today and is "hopeful" the veteran will be available for Saturday's game at Buffalo. "From where it was three days ago to today, it's a lot better," said Redden, who does not have his full range of motion yet.

Rangers waive Valiquette

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Rangers, mired in a three-game losing streak and a 6-12-1 slump, have begun to reshape their roster.

Center Erik Christensen, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Ducks to give the team some depth with Donald Brashear out for an unspecified time with an unspecified injury.

Also, Steve Valiquette was placed on waivers with the hope that the struggling backup goalie can regain his form at Hartford (AHL). Chad Johnson, 23, a Hobey Baker finalist last season at Alaska-Fairbanks, will be the short-term replacement but cannot be recalled until Valiquette clears waivers or is claimed by noon today.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Christensen was scoreless in nine games this season for the Ducks, who acquired him last season from the Thrashers. A third- or fourth-line player who shoots well from the perimeter, Christensen set career highs with 18 goals and 15 assists for the Penguins in 2006-07.

His presence, along with the expected return of center Brandon Dubinsky (broken right hand) within the next month, could cost fourth-line center Brian Boyle his roster spot.

"It's an opportunity for him," coach John Tortorella said of Christensen. "When Dubi comes back, some decisions will have to be made."

A decision was made on Valiquette after Saturday's 8-3 loss at Pittsburgh, in which he allowed four goals in the third period after the Rangers had closed to within one.

Valiquette is 2-3-0 with a 3.74 goals-against average and a paltry .852 save percentage this season. The 32-year-old has been Henrik Lundqvist's full-time backup since 2007-08, yet has played in only 34 games in that span.

"We want to get him down there playing and get his game back," Tortorella said. "Johnson gets to practice with us. I'm not sure where it all sits with him playing."

So the Rangers likely are looking elsewhere for Lundqvist's backup since Valiquette may no longer be an option. If Valiquette goes unclaimed and is assigned to Hartford, the Rangers still would have to put him through recall waivers to return him to the NHL, meaning any team claiming him would split the pro-rated portion of his $725,000 contract with the Rangers.

BRIEF: Defenseman Wade Redden (right shoulder/arm), who has missed the past three games, skated on his own for 20 minutes in his first time on the ice since being hurt on his second shift in a 2-1 shootout win at Florida eight days ago. Tortorella said he expects Redden to skate with the team today and is "hopeful" the veteran will be available for Saturday's game at Buffalo. "From where it was three days ago to today, it's a lot better," said Redden, who does not have his full range of motion yet.